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Todd J. Sukol
Todd J. Sukol
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Accessing the ‘core muscles’ of professional balance

Posted on May 21, 2021May 21, 2021 by Todd J. Sukol

One of the things most emerging nonprofit leaders struggle with is balance. We wear many hats in our multifaceted roles. The pulls on us come from those we supervise, those we are accountable to, those we are trying to engage and those trying to engage us. Add in a personal life and all the demands of relationships, families, financial management, home maintenance and on and on. Where do you find time to breathe, let alone live and enjoy life?

We all know this pattern of busyness is a productivity trap, not to mention a mental and physical health risk. Getting off the treadmill, however, is easier said than done.

In becoming more physically active after 50, I learned that whenever exercise challenges my physical body’s balance, it’s time to start thinking about what I’m doing with my “core.” It took me years to appreciate that for many people – myself definitely included — it takes lots of practice to learn to consistently access the complex of muscles that stabilize, support and protect us in everything we do. Whether at a gym, field, course, court, yoga mat or anywhere else we make big demands of our bodies, balance must be an active pursuit. When we engage our core we perform successfully and safely. When we don’t, we fall short and frequently find ourselves with an injury.

It stands to reason that this concept has a parallel that is just as true in serious professional pursuits as it is in physically strenuous activities.

  • What are the “core muscles” of your professional life?
  • What does it feel like when you throw yourself out of whack by not engaging them sufficiently?
  • Today, how can you incorporate these practices in your life, even a tiny bit better than you did yesterday?

Photo by Aziz Acharki on Unsplash

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The Inside Job

When is “enough” enough?

May 6, 2022

We work so hard to be the best we can be. To make our organizations the best they can be. When does our obligation reach its limits?  Ours is a field where there is always something more that can be done more, or better. A system can be improved. A problem can be solved. A success can be made greater. Another dollar can be raised. Another beneficiary served. Another staff member assisted. There are so many pulls on you as a nonprofit organization leader – when is “good enough” finally good enough?

In truth, the real question isn’t “how hard” should we work, but “HOW” should we work. Please remember that there is a deep, divine spark inside of you. This same spark lives inside of every person, place, thing or circumstance you encounter. As a nonprofit professional and as a human being, your first obligation is to recognize, reveal and fan the flames of that spark in yourself and in those you work with. When you’re pushing so hard that your efforts no longer support this objective, it’s time to step back. 

No matter how dedicated we are to the missions of our organizations, we cannot turn to our work for all of the meaning in our lives. You are uniquely special because you come from a divine source. We all need to step away from our work and take a break for spiritual and physical refreshment from time to time. We all need to remember and reconnect with the loved ones from whom we derive our identities and our strength.

Ask yourself: “In my work today, is my best self in the driver’s seat? Or, am I burning myself out by chasing “symptoms of success” rather than allowing my inner spark to express itself as I go about my work?”

Image above may be purchased as a print from https://www.hebrica.com/collections/torah-and-texts/products/you-shall-be-holy-jewish-paper-cut-art

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